Mid-Michigan mountain bike trail projects are the focus of MMBA Midstate Chapter meeting on August 3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DURAND, Michigan – July 17, 2010 – All are invited to the Michigan Mountain Biking Association Midstate Chapter meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at La Señorita, 2706 Lake Lansing Road, Lansing, Michigan 48912, across from the Eastwood Towne Center. This meeting is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about the MMBA and would like to learn more about trail advocacy.
The meeting is an opportunity for area mountain bikers to discuss current and prospective mountain biking projects as well as to socialize and meet new people who are passionate about the activity. Chapter and state board members will be present to answer questions.
The MMBA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on the efforts of local volunteers to build and maintain trails. Each MMBA-maintained trail has a volunteer trail coordinator who designs trails that meet the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s guidelines to minimize erosion and prolong the life of the trail. Trail coordinators also ensure that trails adhere to land management requirements that must be met in order to continue using the land for mountain biking.
In addition to creating new trails, trail coordinators organize volunteer trail work days to maintain existing trails. They cut back overgrowth and clear fallen trees and debris from the trail. Damaged trail is either repaired or rerouted. Bridges and technical features may be added, and ride-around sections of trail are created for less experienced riders so that they do not have to dismount the bike when approaching difficult trail features.
Midstate Chapter members are currently working on several trail projects. Burchfield Park in Holt is currently undergoing trail creation and reconstruction. Volunteers are working on this veteran trail system to reroute old trails and to add mileage to the existing trails. Anderson Park in Lansing is a rapidly growing system with new trail being added every week. It features plenty of elevation changes and obstacles that are enjoyed by area cyclists. Sleepy Hollow State Park in Laingsburg is currently under consideration for a trail redesign.
The MMBA works to maintain access to current mountain biking trails and to build new trails in areas without many riding opportunities. All trails are built with the permission of land managers. The trails are often marked as being maintained by the MMBA so riders know who to contact with trail suggestions. The goal is to prevent “bandit trails” that are not properly built or do not meet land manager requirements.
The organization consists of a strong network of mountain bikers from all over the state, from Detroit, Traverse City, Houghton, and everywhere in between. Volunteers consist of lawyers, engineers, artists, and even the unemployed who are using their talent and job experience to further the advocacy efforts of mountain bikers statewide. Some MMBA volunteers even use their volunteer experience to build their resumes.
Visit midstate.mmba.org for more news and updates.
# # #
The Mid-State Chapter is part of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA) and builds and maintains trails in Mid-Michigan. The MMBA is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit corporation.